On Mon, Mar 15, 2010 at 11:11:40PM -0700, J.C. Roberts wrote: > On Tue, 16 Mar 2010 14:59:01 +1100 Cameron Simpson <c...@zip.com.au> > wrote: > > > I have the apparently common problem of CD2 (amd64) from the OpenBSD > > distro not booting on an IBM x336. And of course there's no floppy > > and the box won't boot off a USB device at all. > > > > "apparently common" ? --Never heard of it. > > If there is something wrong with your install media for amd64, then > download the ISO and burn a new copy. > > ftp://ftp.openbsd.org/pub/OpenBSD/4.6/amd64/install46.iso > > Even better, since we're right next to 4.7 release, install the > most recent -current snapshot: > > ftp://ftp.openbsd.org/pub/OpenBSD/snapshots/amd64/install47.iso > > Your subsequent upgrade to 4.7 -release in a month or two will go a lot > more smoothly. > > > One of the avenues I'm considering is booting off the i386 CD1 and > > then using the CD2 disc for the install data. Will that work, or will > > the i386 install still load up some inappropriate i386 items (eg the > > boot sector)? > > Why shoot yourself in the foot? > > A better and supported alternative is to netboot the system with > the correct bsd.rd kernel and install the sets via ftp. > > "this isn't rocket surgery" >
While I agree with stuff said about your foot and -current, to answer your question - yes, it should work. I don't think I've done what you propose on purpose, but I've done it by mistake enough times. Provided you're doing an install, you should be able to install the amd64 sets from an i386 rd boot. I don't see why not, though I'm sure I'll be corrected if I'm wrong. Pay attention to prompts, and realise what to ignore and what not to. Call me a nag, but do read the faqs with a clean slate in your mind. By all means buy the CDs, kittens will cry if you don't, but look again at OpenBSD -current. Be aware of where the cycle is, mind you, but this isn't an OS where -current or -head is totally evil and 1337. That said, you need to understand where your install choice fits in the cycle. I personally haven't found that -release is where I want to be. YMMV. Just remember, when you see the FTP puffy as you're downoading an ISO, that it feels good to have a -release CD, even if you only use the stickers. Not to mention the easy source preloading.
